Arsene Wenger admits it would be a massive shock if Arsenal beat Barcelona

SUPER FAVOURITES: Arsenal face an uphill battle to take down Barcelona

The Gunners crashed 3-0 to the Championship side in the Capital One Cup in October, despite fielding a side featuring Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud.

The quartet are all set to face the Champions League holders tonight in the first leg of their last 16 clash.

But despite rating Lionel Messi and Co “super favourites”, Wenger insisted football was not always predictable, as another Championship side, Hull, proved on Saturday with a 0-0 FA Cup draw at The Emirates.

Predicted Line-ups: Arsenal v Barcelona

Monday, 22nd February 2016

STARSPORT take you through the predicted line-ups for Arsenal's big Champions League clash against Barcelona.

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Arsenal FC

Arsenal to win: 4/1 (Paddy Power)

“They are the best team in the world nobody questions that”

Arsene Wenger

“They are top top quality, they are the best team in the world nobody questions that,” said Wenger.

“But in football... We played Hull and it was 0-0, we can go to Sheff Wed and lose 3-0.

“So why can’t it be possible the other way around and that’s what we’re here to show.”

Wenger also insisted Arsenal and other Premier League teams can now compete with Barca when it comes to making signings like their £71m capture of Brazil ace Neymar in 2013.

The Gunners lost to Barca 2-1 in the Champions League Final ten years ago, but unlike their Spanish opponents have never looked like lifting the trophy since then.

“The difference is that Barcelona have spent much more money than we have, it’s as simple as that,” said Wenger. “In 2006 it was already the case.

“We could not have bought Neymar. Maybe today we can. Today the English clubs can do it. But at that time we couldn’t.”